Cylindrical glass bottle with sharp shoulders, wide neck ending in a thick lip.
Number Of Parts
1
Provenance
Acquired from the Academy of Medicine; source: Mr. Dean Charters.
Dates
1850
1880
1850-1880
Material
glass: clear
Inscriptions
Embossed vertically on body of bottle: "BALSAM // HONEY"
Permanent Location
Storage Room 0010
0010-A4-7 Box 3 Row B
Dimension Notes
Length 9.4 cm x Diam. 3.0 cm
Copy Type
Original
Reference Types
Book
Reference Comments
Martindale, 27th ed.
Research Facts
Used to facilitate expectoration in chronic bronchitis.
The ingredients of Sir John Hill's Pectoral Balsam of Honey were balsam of tolu (a plant resin), opium, honey and spirit of wine. Hill, who had a genuine medical degree, started producing patent remedies around the 1760s when the expense of publishing his writing began to take its toll, and the ploy worked, earning him a considerable fortune. Promotional information include: "the unequalled efficacy and safety of this elegant Medicine in the immediate relief, and gradual cure, of Coughs, Colds, Sore Throats, Hoarseness,Difficulty of Breathing, Catarrhs, Asthma, and Consumptions"